COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Otero County

New Mexico · 51,928 residents · 6,612.562 sq mi

Time machine

VIEWING

COMPARE TO

Part of the Alamogordo micropolitan area

The short version

Otero County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $22,624. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 10,370 residents. Median home value is $57,500.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Younger

median age 29.2

US median: 33.0

Less educated

15% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

Stable housing

home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

51,928

−17%vs 2000

vs 62,298 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

8 / sq mi

−17%vs 2000

vs 9 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

29.2

−14%vs 2000

vs 33.8 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202469K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$22,624

−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $30,861 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$10,053

−30%vs 2000

vs $14,345 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

16.7%

−2.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 19.3% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$57,500

+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $68,700 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$355

+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $441 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

62.4%

−4.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 66.9% in 2000

37.6% rent

Afford Score

2.5

+14%vs 2000

vs 2.2 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Otero County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic55.7%(34,728)

Black3.7%(2,285)

Hispanic / Latino32.2%(20,033)

Asian1.1%(685)

Other0%

Diversity Score64.5%(40,184)

1990

White, non-Hispanic79.7%(41,379)

Black5.3%(2,751)

Hispanic / Latino23.5%(12,201)

Asian2%(1,042)

Other13%(6,756)

Diversity Score66.8%(34,679)

Diversity Score

+4%vs 2000

vs 65 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

15.0%

−0.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 15.4% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

81.6%

+0.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 81.0% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

6.2%

−0.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 6.3% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

18.3 min

+27%vs 2000

vs 14.4 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Otero County

Head to head

Compare Otero County to nearby counties

OTERO COUNTY VS

El Paso County

Income$59,806+164%

Home value$180,400+214%

Population877,858+1148%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

OTERO COUNTY VS

Doña Ana County

Income$56,848+151%

Home value$220,800+284%

Population229,091+226%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

OTERO COUNTY VS

Lincoln County

Income$53,303+136%

Home value$233,200+306%

Population19,844−72%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

OTERO COUNTY VS

Hudspeth County

Income$48,600+115%

Home value$64,000+11%

Population3,433−95%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Otero County, New Mexico?

Otero County, New Mexico has about 51,928 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Otero County, New Mexico?

The typical household in Otero County, New Mexico earns about $22,624 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Otero County, New Mexico expensive?

In Otero County, New Mexico, the median home is worth about $57,500, and the typical rent is about $355 a month.

How educated are people in Otero County, New Mexico?

About 15.0% of adults age 25 and over in Otero County, New Mexico hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Otero County, New Mexico?

About 16.7% of people in Otero County, New Mexico live below the federal poverty line.

Keep going

Explore from here

DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →